The Ultimate Western Civilization Quiz!
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The ___________, or away of the ancestors,a were tried and true values that had been handed down in Roman tradition.
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Virtus
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Lares
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Patria potestas
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Mos maiorum
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Penates
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Explore the roots of Western Civilization with this engaging quiz! Test your knowledge on ancient Roman culture, from the mos maiorum to the influence of the Etruscans, and discover key historical figures and practices that shaped early Roman society.
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- 2.
The legendary first king of Rome, ______, devised the plan to steal the Sabine women and make them Roman wives.
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Alexander the Great
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Cicero
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Romulus
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Cato
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Gaius Gracchus
Correct Answer
A. RomulusExplanation
Romulus is the correct answer because he is known as the legendary first king of Rome. According to the ancient Roman myth, Romulus devised a plan to abduct the Sabine women in order to increase the population of Rome with Roman wives. This event, known as the "Rape of the Sabine Women," played a significant role in the foundation and early history of Rome.Rate this question:
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- 3.
_________ was the chief deity of the Romans, corresponding to the Greek god Zeus.
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Juno
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Romulus
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Vesta
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Capitoline
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Jupiter
Correct Answer
A. JupiterExplanation
Jupiter was the chief deity of the Romans, corresponding to the Greek god Zeus. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of the sky and thunder. He was considered the most powerful deity and was associated with justice, authority, and protection. This parallel between Jupiter and Zeus can be seen in their similar roles and attributes, making Jupiter the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The _______ tended the eternal flame that guaranteed the state's permanent existence and formed Rome's only female priesthood.
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Lupercalias
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Vestal Virgins
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Lares
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Penates
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Sabines
Correct Answer
A. Vestal VirginsExplanation
The Vestal Virgins were responsible for tending the eternal flame that symbolized the everlasting existence of the state and were the only female priesthood in Rome. They were chosen as young girls and dedicated themselves to a life of chastity and service to the goddess Vesta. The Vestal Virgins played a crucial role in maintaining the religious and social order of Rome and were highly respected in society.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The _______ festival honored the Italian deity of liberation and temporarily inverted the social order by having masters act as waiters to their slaves at a banquet.
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Lupercalia
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Auspices
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Veii
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Saturnalia
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Italia
Correct Answer
A. SaturnaliaExplanation
Saturnalia was a festival in ancient Rome that honored the Italian deity of liberation, Saturn. During this festival, the social order was temporarily inverted, and masters would act as waiters to their slaves at a banquet. Therefore, Saturnalia is the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The degree of influence of the ____________ over the development of Rome is currently in considerable dispute.
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Etruscans
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Greeks
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Egyptians
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Persians
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Gauls
Correct Answer
A. EtruscansExplanation
The degree of influence of the Etruscans over the development of Rome is currently in considerable dispute.Rate this question:
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- 7.
According to legend, the kings of Rome were overthrown when _________was raped by the son of King Tarquin the Proud.
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Tullia
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Livia
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Lucretia
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Cornelia
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Sabine
Correct Answer
A. LucretiaExplanation
Lucretia was raped by the son of King Tarquin the Proud, which led to the overthrow of the kings of Rome. This event is significant in Roman history as it sparked a rebellion against the monarchy and ultimately led to the establishment of the Roman Republic.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The ___________ were former consuls who were elected every five years to elect new senators.
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Quaestors
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Aediles
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Jurists
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Censors
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Tribunes
Correct Answer
A. CensorsExplanation
Censors were former consuls who were elected every five years to elect new senators. They were responsible for conducting the census, maintaining public morality, and overseeing public finances. Their role was crucial in the Roman Republic as they had the power to remove senators from office and assess the social status of citizens.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Senators with legal expertise offered advice as ___________ in legal cases, operating as private citizens rather than officials.
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Quaestors
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Aediles
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Jurists
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Censors
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Tribunes
Correct Answer
A. JuristsExplanation
Jurists are individuals with legal expertise who provide advice in legal cases. They operate as private citizens rather than officials, meaning that they are not part of the government or holding any official position. Therefore, they can offer their expertise and guidance in a non-official capacity, providing valuable insights and recommendations in legal matters.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The ________ were elected by the plebeians to protect their interests against patrician domination.
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Quaestors
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Aediles
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Jurists
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Censors
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Tribunes
Correct Answer
A. TribunesExplanation
The tribunes were elected by the plebeians to protect their interests against patrician domination. They were responsible for representing the plebeians and had the power to veto any decision made by the patricians. The tribunes played a crucial role in the Roman Republic as they ensured that the plebeians had a voice in the government and were not oppressed by the patricians.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The Romans had their bloodiest loss ever when Hannibal defeated them at ___________ during the Second Punic War.
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Zama
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Latium
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Cannae
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Messana
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Numidia
Correct Answer
A. CannaeExplanation
During the Second Punic War, the Romans suffered their bloodiest loss ever at Cannae. This battle took place in 216 BC and was fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian army led by Hannibal. Hannibal's tactical brilliance and the use of double envelopment strategy resulted in a devastating defeat for the Romans. The Carthaginians were able to encircle and annihilate a much larger Roman army, causing massive casualties. This victory gave Hannibal a significant advantage in the war and demonstrated the effectiveness of his unconventional tactics.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The Romans finally won the Second Punic War when ____________ invaded the Carthaginian homeland in 202 B.C.E.
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Julius Caesar
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Gaius Gracchus
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Gnaius Marius
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Scipio
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Plautus
Correct Answer
A. ScipioExplanation
Scipio invaded the Carthaginian homeland in 202 B.C.E. and this led to the Romans finally winning the Second Punic War.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Roman literature was largely inspired by __________________.
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Egyptian culture
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Hebrew culture
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Carthaginian culture
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Etruscan culture
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Greek and Hellenistic culture
Correct Answer
A. Greek and Hellenistic cultureExplanation
Roman literature was largely inspired by Greek and Hellenistic culture. The Romans admired and emulated Greek literature, incorporating their literary forms, genres, and themes into their own works. They were particularly influenced by Greek tragedians, poets, and philosophers. The Romans also drew inspiration from Hellenistic culture, which encompassed a fusion of Greek and Eastern influences. This cultural exchange allowed Roman writers to explore new ideas and perspectives, resulting in the development of a rich and diverse literary tradition.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The great orator _____________ formed the doctrine of humanity, which emphasized an appreciation for the uniqueness of each person.
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Cato
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Cicero
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Terence
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Livy
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Fabius Pictor
Correct Answer
A. CiceroExplanation
Cicero, the great orator, formed the doctrine of humanity, which emphasized an appreciation for the uniqueness of each person.Rate this question:
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- 15.
_______ wrote poems that ridiculed politicians for their sexual behavior.
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Cato
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Cicero
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Terence
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Catullus
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Fabius Pictor
Correct Answer
A. CatullusExplanation
Catullus wrote poems that ridiculed politicians for their sexual behavior. He was a Roman poet known for his sharp and satirical writing style. His poems often targeted prominent figures in Roman society, including politicians, and mocked them for their personal indiscretions. Catullus was known for his bold and provocative language, and his poems were considered scandalous and controversial during his time.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The social-reforming Gracchi brothers were from the upper class and both served as ______________.
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Latifundae
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Humanitas
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Populares
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Tribunes
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Optimates
Correct Answer
A. TribunesExplanation
The Gracchi brothers were from the upper class and served as tribunes. Tribunes were officials in ancient Rome who were elected to represent the interests of the plebeians, or common people, and had the power to veto laws and protect the rights of the lower classes. The Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, were known for their social reforms aimed at improving the lives of the poor and addressing issues such as land distribution and unemployment. They were both tribunes and used their positions to push for these reforms, making them social-reforming figures in ancient Rome.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The _________or knights were landowners who in the late republic were wealthy businessmen.
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Populares
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Optimates
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Equites
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Tribunes
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Censors
Correct Answer
A. EquitesExplanation
The Equites, also known as knights, were landowners who were wealthy businessmen during the late republic. They held a significant amount of economic and political power, and were considered part of the Roman elite. The Equites class was distinct from the senatorial class, and they played a crucial role in Roman society and politics.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Gaius Marius was most popular with the ___________.
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Senate
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Optimates
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Gauls
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Proletarians
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Gracchus brothers
Correct Answer
A. ProletariansExplanation
Gaius Marius was most popular with the Proletarians. The Proletarians were the lowest class of Roman citizens, consisting of the landless poor who relied on the state for their livelihood. Marius, a Roman general and statesman, gained popularity among the Proletarians by promising them land and military rewards. He implemented reforms that allowed the Proletarians to serve in the Roman army, which provided them with a means of social mobility and economic stability. Marius's support from the Proletarians played a significant role in his rise to power and political success.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Sulla gained supreme power by putting down a rebellion in________.
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North Africa
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Italy
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Egypt
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Greece
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Sicily
Correct Answer
A. ItalyExplanation
Sulla gained supreme power by putting down a rebellion in Italy. This suggests that there was a rebellion in Italy that Sulla successfully suppressed, allowing him to establish his authority and gain supreme power.Rate this question:
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- 20.
In 71 B.C.E. Pompey put down a massive slave rebellion led by __________ that involved 100,000 escaped slaves.
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Regulus
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Accius
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Spartacus
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Masinissa
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Zama
Correct Answer
A. SpartacusExplanation
In 71 B.C.E., Pompey suppressed a significant slave uprising led by Spartacus, which included around 100,000 escaped slaves. Spartacus, a gladiator and former soldier, organized a formidable rebellion against the Roman Republic. The revolt lasted for several years and posed a major threat to Roman authority. However, Pompey's forces eventually defeated Spartacus and his followers, marking the end of the rebellion.Rate this question:
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- 21.
All of the following describe personal qualities that Roman admired except:
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Virtue, faithfulness, courage, strength, and respect.
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Self-control and avoiding displays of emotion.
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Respect for traditions passed down from previous generations.
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The virtues of men, since women were considered too weak to be virtuous.
Correct Answer
A. The virtues of men, since women were considered too weak to be virtuous.Explanation
Roman women were also expected to live up to social values, especially fidelity.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which of the following best describes the Roman concept of authority and hierarchy?
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They believed that some people were inherently superior to others and that society should be hierarchical.
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They believed that all people were born equal and should be given a chance to prove themselves.
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They believed that society should be divided into different orders based on status and that power should be shared equally among them.
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They believed that aristocrats deserved high respect and that nothing was expected of them in return.
Correct Answer
A. They believed that some people were inherently superior to others and that society should be hierarchical.Explanation
The Romans believed that people of high birth were inherently better than people of lower birth. While this granted them many advantages, it also carried responsibility since they were expected to exemplify the personal qualities that Romans valued.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Which of the following is not true about married women in Rome?
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They exerted indirect political influence through their husbands.
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They were expected to teach values, morals, and virtue to their children.
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They were under the complete control of their husbands' patria potestas.
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They could accumulate property and own businesses.
Correct Answer
A. They were under the complete control of their husbands' patria potestas.Explanation
A Roman woman lived under her father's power for as long as he lived, even when she married. Once her father died, a woman became relatively independent.Rate this question:
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- 24.
The obligations required of patrons and clients are described by all of the following except:
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Client-patron relationships were supposed to endure over generations.
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A patron's most important obligation was to support a client and his family if they got into legal difficulties.
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Clients never had to lend money to their patrons.
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A client had to aid his patron's campaigns for public office by swinging votes his way.
Correct Answer
A. Clients never had to lend money to their patrons.Explanation
Clients were often expected to lend money to their patrons to support their political endeavors. When a patron held public office, his clients lent him money to help him pay for the public works projects that were expected of him. Clients also helped their patron pay for dowries when his daughters married.Rate this question:
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- 25.
All of the following are true of Roman educational practices except:
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Learning effective public speaking was extremely important for boys and girls.
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The Roman educational system reflected an admiration of Greek rhetoric and literature.
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Most children were taught at home with wealthy parents hiring tutors for their sons.
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Education prepared women to instill traditional social and moral values in their children.
Correct Answer
A. Learning effective public speaking was extremely important for boys and girls.Explanation
Roman education emphasized preparation for public life, and public speaking was an important part of this. Since women were excluded from public life, public speaking was not considered necessary for a girl's education.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Who according to legend was the last king of the Romans?
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Romulus
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Claudius Pulcher
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Horatius
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Tarquin the Proud
Correct Answer
A. Tarquin the ProudExplanation
According to legend, Rome had seven kings; the last of who was Tarquin the Proud who was driven out of the city after his son raped a noblewoman.Rate this question:
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- 27.
All of the following accurately describe the Roman Senate except:
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It was created by the early kings of Rome.
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It reflected the Roman principle that decisions should be thoroughly discussed with one's wisest friends.
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Senators maintained a low public profile in keeping with the importance Roman tradition placed on humility.
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It was a body of advisers chosen from the city's leading men to serve as an advisory council to government officials.
Correct Answer
A. Senators maintained a low public profile in keeping with the importance Roman tradition placed on humility.Explanation
Romans believed that prestige should be visible. Senators distinguished themselves from everyone else with special clothing, wearing a broad purple stripe on their robes.Rate this question:
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- 28.
The Romans adopted all of the following features from Etruscan culture except:
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The elaborate garments of their magistrates.
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Procedures for religious rituals.
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Divining the will of the gods by examining the organs of slaughtered animals.
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A republican form of government.
Correct Answer
A. A republican form of government.Explanation
The Romans adopted many religious practices and symbols of political power from the Etruscans, but they did not adopt a Republican form of government from them.Rate this question:
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- 29.
What was the tactic used by the plebeians to pressure the patricians into making concessions?
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They stormed the forum, the city's public center.
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They demonstrated in the streets of Rome, blocking commercial access for days if necessary.
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They refused to pay their taxes.
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They withdrew from the city to a temporary settlement and refused to perform military service.
Correct Answer
A. They withdrew from the city to a temporary settlement and refused to perform military service.Explanation
This tactic, called succession, was effective because the army depended on the military service of the plebeians, as the patricians were not numerous enough to defend Rome by themselves.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Which assembly became the republic's most important institution for making policy and passing laws?
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The Tribal Assembly
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The Plebeian Assembly
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The Centuriate Assembly
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Jupiter's Assembly
Correct Answer
A. The Tribal AssemblyExplanation
The Tribal Assembly, which was created soon after the Plebeian Assembly, included both patricians and plebeians and grouped voters by domicile. In it, the plebeians outnumbered the patricians.Rate this question:
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- 31.
Who sacked Rome in 387 B.C.E., providing only a temporary military setback but leaving the Romans fearful of foreign invasion?
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The Etruscans
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The Greeks
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The Gauls
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The Carthaginians
Correct Answer
A. The GaulsExplanation
Marauding Gauls sacked Rome in 387 B.C.E.Rate this question:
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- 32.
After conquering Italian lands around Rome, authorities typically:
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Exiled the previous population.
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Exterminated the previous population.
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Exempted the conquered from taxes, admitted some to citizenship, and invited them to share in the booty of future conquests.
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Sold their land to victorious generals, which strengthened the connection between Roman elites and rural life.
Correct Answer
A. Exempted the conquered from taxes, admitted some to citizenship, and invited them to share in the booty of future conquests.Explanation
Although they sometimes enslaved Italian peoples or confiscated some of their lands, Roman authorities typically attempted to turn conquered Italian peoples into partners in Roman expansion, inviting them into citizenship and compelling them to provide soldiers for future conquests.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Where was the Romans' first province outside the Italian mainland?
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Carthage
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Sicily
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Greece
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Spain
Correct Answer
A. SicilyExplanation
The Romans gained control of Sicily as a result of the First Punic War, which ended in 241 B.C.E.Rate this question:
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- 34.
After the 196 B.C.E. Roman proclamation of the "freedom of the Greeks," why did the Greeks think they were free, while the Romans thought the Greeks were their clients?
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The wording of the treaty of alliance between Rome and Greece was open to both interpretations.
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The Greeks and Romans failed to realize that basic words like freedom and friendship meant different things in their two societies.
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The Romans thought that when Philip V of Macedonia became a client of Rome, all of his subjects became Roman clients; the Greeks thought Philip had voided his authority over them.
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The Greeks did not believe in patron-client relationships and never came under Roman power.
Correct Answer
A. The Greeks and Romans failed to realize that basic words like freedom and friendship meant different things in their two societies.Explanation
The Romans assumed that the Greeks would behave as clients of Rome, while the Greeks thought that they had gained their freedom. After decades of resisting Roman intervention, Macedonia and Greece became a Roman province in 146 B.C.E.Rate this question:
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- 35.
In the Second Punic War, who led the Carthaginians in the bloodiest Roman loss in history at Cannae in 216 B.C.E.?
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Hannibal
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Philip V
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Attalus III
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Masinissa
Correct Answer
A. HannibalExplanation
Hannibal (247-182 B.C.E.) made a famous crossing over the Alps with war elephants to attack Italy from the north. More than thirty thousand Roman soldiers were lost at Cannae.Rate this question:
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- 36.
Which of the following statements does not accurately describe Tiberius Gracchus?
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He was a plebian who worked his way up the ladder of offices to become tribune in 133 B.C.E.
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He overrode the Senate by having the plebeian assembly pass laws offering financial support to impoverished citizens.
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Because of his reforms and his intention to stand for reelection as tribune, he and many of his followers were clubbed to death by his opponents in the Senate.
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His brother Gaius proposed special courts to try senators for corruption.
Correct Answer
A. He was a plebian who worked his way up the ladder of offices to become tribune in 133 B.C.E.Explanation
Tiberius Gracchus was from an illustrious patrician family.Rate this question:
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- 37.
What action of Gaius Marius had the most dire implications for Rome?
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His repeated election as a consul, which allowed him to amass a huge amount of power.
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His military campaigns, which stretched Roman resources to a critical level.
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His marriage to Caesar's daughter Julia.
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His reform of the entrance requirements for the army, which created armies more loyal to their commander than to the state.
Correct Answer
A. His reform of the entrance requirements for the army, which created armies more loyal to their commander than to the state.Explanation
Previously, only men with property would enroll in the army. Now men who owned virtually nothing could follow a successful general in the hope of acquiring war booty and a grant of land to retire on, binding them more closely to their general than to Rome.Rate this question:
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- 38.
What was unusual about Pompey being rewarded the supreme honor of a triumph after the civil war in 83 B.C.E.?
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He was not a Roman citizen.
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Triumphs were only awarded for foreign wars.
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Pompey was too young and had never held public office.
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Pompey had not killed the opposing general.
Correct Answer
A. Pompey was too young and had never held public office.Explanation
Pompey was only twenty-three at the time and had never held public office. His being granted a triumph shattered an ancient tradition of the republic.Rate this question:
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- 39.
Pompey and Caesar cooperated until:
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Caesar seduced his wife.
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Caesar's daughter (and Pompey's wife) Julia died in childbirth.
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Spartacus's rebellion weakened the state.
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Caesar's ambitions led him to shame Roman values by commencing an affair with Queen Cleopatra.
Correct Answer
A. Caesar's daughter (and Pompey's wife) Julia died in childbirth.Explanation
As long as Julia lived, Pompey and Caesar avoided outright conflict. When she died in childbirth in 54 B.C.E., the rivalry between the two men soon became an open civil war.Rate this question:
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- 40.
Which of the following statements about Caesar's military background is false?
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Caesar's soldiers did not desert him even when their supplies ran out.
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Caesar waged a civil war in Rome against the forces of Pompey.
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Caesar began his military career against the Gauls.
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Caesar demanded and was given a triumph at the early age of twenty-three.
Correct Answer
A. Caesar demanded and was given a triumph at the early age of twenty-three.Explanation
Although Caesar was extremely ambitious, it was Pompey who received a triumph at the age of twenty-three.Rate this question:
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- 41.
Patria potestas gave a father all of the following powers except:
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The power of life and death over his children.
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Power over his slaves.
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Power over the property acquired by his children.
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Power over his wife.
Correct Answer
A. Power over his wife.Explanation
The father of a household did not have the same absolute power over his wife as he had over his slaves, children, and children's property. Roman women remained under the authority of their fathers when they married and became relatively independent when their fathers died.Rate this question:
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- 42.
What is meant by mos maiorum?
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In total; completely
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The way of the ancestors
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Peace of the gods
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Majority rule
Correct Answer
A. The way of the ancestorsExplanation
Romans had a profound respect for tradition and believed that the values by which they lived-the mos maiorum - had been handed down from ancient times.Rate this question:
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- 43.
What were the Lares in the Roman religion?
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Spirits who threatened households
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Spirits of household fertility
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Spirits of the ancestors
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Spirits who ensured good harvests
Correct Answer
A. Spirits of the ancestorsExplanation
The Lares were connected with keeping the family well and its moral traditions alive. Every family maintained a small shrine in their household for them.Rate this question:
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- 44.
Which of the following was expected of a wealthy Roman wife, but never of a Greek wife?
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Overseeing the household slaves
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Managing property
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Accompanying her husband to dinner parties
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Monitoring the care of her children
Correct Answer
A. Accompanying her husband to dinner partiesExplanation
The Romans maintained the custom of having women present at dinner parties. In Greek tradition, wives were not allowed to attend dinner parties.Rate this question:
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- 45.
The head of state religion and the ultimate authority on religious matters affecting government was:
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The flamen Iovis.
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The pontifex maximus.
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The quaestor.
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The pax deorum.
Correct Answer
A. The pontifex maximus.Explanation
The Pontifex Maximus ("highest priest") was the most important religious official in Rome. The political powers of this priesthood motivated Rome's most prominent men to seek it.Rate this question:
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- 46.
What were the two orders in Roman society during the republic?
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Romans and foreigners
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Citizens and non-citizens
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Patricians and plebeians
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Quaestors and aediles
Correct Answer
A. Patricians and plebeiansExplanation
Patricians and plebeians were the two main orders in Roman society during the republic.Rate this question:
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- 47.
In Rome, freed slaves:
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Owed special obligations to their former masters.
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Were not granted citizenship.
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Were forced to serve in the army.
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Did not pass their free status on to their children.
Correct Answer
A. Owed special obligations to their former masters.Explanation
Freed slaves automatically became clients for life of the masters who freed them and often passed this relationship on to their children.Rate this question:
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- 48.
What was Rome's first written law code?
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The Twelve Tables
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The Plebiscite
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The pax deorum
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The Republican Code
Correct Answer
A. The Twelve TablesExplanation
The Twelve Tables were enacted sometime between 451 and 449 B.C.E. after a period of tension between the patricians and plebeians. They provided legal protections for the plebeians and guaranteed greater equality and social mobility.Rate this question:
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- 49.
The highest officials in the republican government of Rome were:
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Praetors.
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Censors.
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Consuls.
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Tribunes.
Correct Answer
A. Consuls.Explanation
Becoming a consul was the crowning achievement of a lengthy political career in which a man worked his way up through a series of public offices. It bestowed high status on him and his descendants forever.Rate this question:
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